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Council confirms unpaid trash accounts and places delinquencies on property tax rolls
Summary
After a public hearing the council confirmed about 1,000 delinquent solid‑waste accounts totaling roughly $485,000 and approved placing unpaid balances as special assessments on property tax bills.
The Jurupa Valley City Council on Thursday approved a resolution confirming delinquent solid‑waste accounts and directing the city to place unpaid balances as special assessments on property tax rolls.
Public Works Director Paul Torr told the council the annual action is a housekeeping requirement under the franchise agreement with the city’s hauler, BERTEC Waste Industries, and the city ordinance that requires all properties to receive waste collection service. Torr said the program helps ensure continued collection and proper disposal of waste and that unpaid accounts are transferred to the county tax roll only after the notice and hearing process.
Torr said the city started the process with more than $600,000 in delinquencies; after notices and partial payments the remaining delinquent amount was about $485,000 covering roughly 1,000 parcels. He said the assessments can range from small amounts up to higher balances depending on the amount owed and that unpaid assessments become part of the property tax bill and must be paid at sale or in escrow.
During the public hearing one resident complained about surprise bills and difficulty resolving a billing account; Torr and the mayor noted BERTEC representatives and the city assistant manager were present and available to help after the meeting. Council members asked whether the unpaid assessments would become liens; staff explained the unpaid amounts are processed as delinquent charges and are collected via the tax roll. Staff also explained alternatives — unlike utilities that can be shut off, municipal trash service is mandated because accumulated waste presents a health risk; the city must maintain collection while pursuing collection of unpaid fees.
The council voted 4–0 to adopt the resolution confirming the delinquent accounts and imposing the assessments. Staff said property owners who pay before the tax lien is recorded can avoid the assessment and that the city continues to accept overdue payments prior to final recording.
